U.S. Sends Major Naval Force Toward Iran as President Trump Signals Possible Military Action.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on January 22, 2026, that U.S. naval forces were being sent toward Iran, marking a visible escalation in American military posture. The announcement comes as Iran faces sustained internal unrest and continued confrontation with Washington and its regional partners.

U.S. President Trump announced on January 22, 2026, aboard Air Force One, that the U.S. would deploy a significant naval force toward Iran in response to weeks of anti-government protests, mass detentions, and public executions in the Islamic Republic. This move signals heightened military readiness and brings U.S. forces closer to vital maritime corridors amid regional instability.
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An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 launches from the flight deck as another prepares for takeoff aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), January 2, 2026. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

According to U.S. defense officials, the U.S. Department of War last week ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which had been operating in the South China Sea, to redirect toward the Middle East. The group includes several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, each equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Iran. Concurrently, the U.S. Air Force has deployed a dozen F-15E Strike Eagles to undisclosed airbases in the region, boosting the Air Force’s ability to conduct precision strikes and suppression of enemy air defenses should orders be given.

According to open-source information dated January 22, 2026, U.S. naval presence in the region has already reached formidable levels. In the Persian Gulf, the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS McFaul (DDG 74), both Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers, are operating alongside the USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7), a Lewis and Clark class dry cargo and ammunition supply ship providing critical logistics and replenishment support.

Near the Arabian Sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, leads Carrier Strike Group Nine. Supporting ships include the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), all Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers tasked with providing multi-domain defense capabilities.

Carrier Air Wing Nine is embarked on the Abraham Lincoln and consists of nine aviation squadrons. These include F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters and F/A-18E Super Hornets for multirole strikes. EA-18G Growlers support electronic warfare and jamming missions. MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters support search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security, while the CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft provides rapid logistical support and carrier onboard delivery.

Additionally, the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), a Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler, is operating in the area, enabling sustained replenishment of both fuel and supplies. This ensures that deployed surface combatants and air assets can maintain forward presence and remain on station for extended periods without returning to port.

The White House has not confirmed active plans for airstrikes. However, trusted national security sources in the U.S. and the Middle East report that contingency plans are being updated daily. These plans include strike packages aimed at Iranian ballistic missile launch sites, IRGC communication nodes, and the regime’s internal security infrastructure. Senior planners within U.S. Central Command are reportedly coordinating with allied militaries. Their objective is to ensure rapid response capability if a military engagement is ordered.

At the same time, persistent reports from Tel Aviv suggest that Israel is closely involved in discussions about potential joint or parallel operations. Israeli defense officials have neither confirmed nor denied the growing speculation, but high-level consultations between the U.S. and Israeli militaries have intensified over the past week. Israeli defense journalists with long-standing access to IDF leadership report that the Israeli Air Force has placed several squadrons, including F-35I Adir stealth fighters, on heightened readiness in anticipation of regional developments.

In recent days, Israeli media outlets have hinted at a broader coordination plan if Tehran retaliates against U.S. forces or expands regional proxy operations. Growing concerns in both Washington and Tel Aviv center on the potential activation of Iranian-aligned Shiite militias in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Houthi forces in Yemen. These groups have access to long-range drones, guided munitions, and precision rocket systems capable of striking U.S. bases and Israeli urban centers.

Sources close to Israeli military leadership believe Iran’s increasingly confrontational behavior, such as resuming 90 percent uranium enrichment and accelerating missile tests, is pushing strategic planners toward consideration of preemptive military options. Several regional intelligence assessments suggest that if Iran continues its crackdown and nuclear activity unchecked, a coordinated military response could be initiated before the end of February.

In Tehran, the regime has responded with both threats and operational preparations. Iranian state media has released footage of underground missile bases, mobile launchers, and newly deployed air defense platforms, including the Russian-built S-300PMU2. Senior Iranian military commanders have pledged to retaliate harshly against any act of aggression, warning that U.S. installations in the Gulf and Israeli cities could face immediate reprisal. The IRGC’s Aerospace Force has reportedly activated Qiam and Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile units and repositioned mobile batteries closer to the southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz.

Strategically, any coordinated U.S. and Israeli strike against Iran would mark a fundamental shift in the regional security equation. While both nations have carried out air campaigns in Syria and Iraq over the past decade, a direct attack on Iranian territory would break new ground, with far-reaching consequences for military stability and political alliances in the Middle East. The complexity of degrading Iran’s integrated air defense and hardened military infrastructure would require simultaneous use of stealth platforms, electronic warfare capabilities, and long-range precision munitions launched from sea and air.

Whether this military buildup culminates in open conflict remains uncertain. However, the presence of a fully equipped carrier strike group, long-range strike aircraft, and combat-ready allies sends a clear signal to Tehran. The United States and Israel appear fully prepared to enforce red lines if Iran continues its path of confrontation. Diplomatic off-ramps may still exist, but time is rapidly narrowing.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.